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https://scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1407968/talking-points
Comment/ Opinion

Talking points

Our editors will be looking ahead today to these developing stories ...

Imran Khan.

Khan ordered to answer defamation suit

Today is the deadline set by a court for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party chief Imran Khan to submit a reply to a one billion rupee (HK$126 million) defamation suit filed against him by sacked provincial minister and Qaumi Watan Party leader Bakht Baidar Khan. The court in Peshawar handed down the order after Khan previously failed to give power of attorney to his lawyer. Bakht claims the former cricketer damaged his reputation by levelling baseless allegations of corruption against him.

 

Conference spotlight on Arctic issues

The Arctic Frontiers conference, focusing on the theme of man in the Arctic environment, opens in Tromso, Norway, tomorrow. The conference brings together people from government, science, business and civil society in an effort to increase attention and commitment to sustainable development in the Arctic.

 

US air base debate dominates mayor election

A Japanese mayoral election in which the incumbent opposes the controversial relocation of a US Marines air base to his city, while challenger supports it, has captured national attention. Today's election in Nago, Okinawa prefecture, is a two-horse race between independents Bunshin Suematsu, 65, and the present mayor Susumu Inanime, 68, who strongly opposed to moving the Futenma base from heavily populated Ginowan to Nago.

 

Belarus PM to meet corporation chiefs

Belarusian Prime Minister Mikhail Myasnikovich will visit China from tomorrow until Thursday at the invitation of Premier Li Keqiang . During his trip, Myasinkovich will meet senior executives of a number of Chinese corporations and visit the joint ventures in Harbin , Heilongjiang province. A Chinese-Belarusian Industrial Park special economic zone has already been established near the Belarus capital Minsk.

 

United must avoid defeat at Chelsea

Riding the wave of a five-match winning streak, Jose Mourinho's Chelsea host Manchester United tomorrow with a chance to reinforce their own English Premier League credentials and read the last rites to their opponents' title defence. Eleven points separate David Moyes' United side from the summit and defeat would effectively end any lingering hopes they have that a strong run-in could propel them into contention.

 

Pedal power in new call for harbour cycleway

Hundreds of Hongkongers will get on their bikes today - to call for the creation of a harbourfront cycleway stretching from Kennedy Town to Heng Fa Chuen on the east of the island. This is the sixth mass ride in support of the cycleway in four years. Event organisers Hong Kong Cycling Alliance and Green Harbourfront Cycle Path for Hong Kong Island expect more than 800 people to take part.